Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-12-23
CONTENTS
[01] Greece-Budget voted
[01] Greece-Budget voted
23/12/2000 01:11:03
Parliament in the early hours of Saturday passed the budget for 2001,
the first to show a surplus in decades and the last before euro-zone
entry on January 1.
Voting in favour of the budget, which forecasts a surplus of 210
billion drachmas, were 157 deputies, with 141 voting against. One
deputy voted only in favour of national defence and the presidency of
the republic. One parliamentarian was absent in the roll-call vote from
the 300-member house.
The budget, the first to be formulated in euros, allows tax relief for
low-and middle-income earners and boosts state spending on education,
health, pensions and employment. Total spending is 12.6 trillion
drachmas, an increase of 8.2 per cent on the previous year.
Rising investment and restraints on consumer spending are expected to
aid a reduction in the public debt as a percentage of GDP.
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